John-ShepardIt's one of those semi-boring first-quarter months but hey, news is news.
The NPD Group has revealed the sales results for March 2011: the industry decreased slightly after a small rise in February. Overall retail sales of software, non-PC hardware, and non-PC accessories slipped 4% to $1.53 billion. For the full first quarter, sales were almost flat, declining just 1% (according to analyst Anita Frazier). Thanks to the hardware launch of the Nintendo 3DS, hardware sales were up 12% to $494.5 million but perhaps surprisingly, the original DS was the top seller for the month. The Xbox 360 was once again the top-selling console for the month, while Sony – which doesn't often release exact sales figures after the NPD stopped reporting them – "saw double-digit growth across hardware and peripherals."
The Wii has fallen off greatly over time and only managed to sell 290,000 units in March, and there's a rumor the system will fall in price soon. Software sales fell 15% to $790.9 million, with Pokemon White and Pokemon Black in the top two slots. Homefront came in third, Dragon Age II settled into fourth, and the ongoing popularity of Call of Duty: Black Ops continues, as the billion-dollar-mega-release rounded out the top 5. Here's Sony's official statement from SCEA Sr. Director of Corporate Communications Patrick Seybold:
"According to the latest NPD report, PlayStation saw double digit growth across hardware and peripherals, signaling continued momentum for the PlayStation platform and consumer demand for immersive 3D and precision motion game play. Led today by the PlayStation Move motion controller, Move accessories and the deep lineup of Move-compatible software titles, PlayStation peripherals have now achieved double-digit growth for 19 consecutive months, according to NPD. People are loving the gaming experience provided by true stereoscopic 3D and PlayStation Move, and we'll up the ante next week with the release of SOCOM 4: US Navy Seals."
…and here I thought the Pokemon fad was dead. I still have nightmares of little kids coming into EB manically seeking the cards. That was 12 years ago.
Keep growing Sony, you're almost at the top
Is it me or does that sound wrong? In a good way.
Good for Sony.
So, John worked at EB too?
yes but it was in the same body as that other guy, as a voice in his head 🙂
Pokemon is (are?) Awesome. I'm still into the games.
I used to buy the cards, but later realized that the tcg was lame. But the video games are pretty legit. Good adventure rpg.
But more on topic, I'm glad to here sony is gettin there. I hope to see better numbers next. Of course ill be supporting.
Digimon whups Pokemon's arse. At least Sony always finds a way to spin the bewildering fact that they remain in third place AND advertise their products in their response.
I mean seriously, Wii has very few good games compared to the other two system and MS has lost their mind, stopped funding exclusives altogether, and hasn't the slightest idea what do with Kinect now that everybody bought one with the fad.
It's all mind boggling.
Indeed World, indeed!
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
Honestly, it must be hard for Sony to be in 3rd place when they truly have the better system and better games. They have to out some positive spin on it or they would probably go insane.
Well, another way to look at these numbers is;
Microsoft's final solution for the RROD issue is selling well.
How are people still buying "codblops"?? By those numbers it sounds like every house with a console own 2 copies of the game!
Man, I used to play Pokemon… I stopped at 13 or 14yrs old, but Pokemon was good.
Lol I still play Pokemon games (not the card game, the RPG ones). Never really understood why people hate them so much. Maybe a bit kiddish, but still good games with a deep game mechanics and very competetive online play.
I loved the first 3 pokemon games, but when they started adding "new" pokemon just for the sake of adding new ones, I lost interest.
Regardless of Sony's position as far as sales, we all know that the ps3 has the top spot in quality.
dear lord how the hell is this still selling?
the series has not changed a single bit, so you would think people would get bored of it.
no wonder were seeing so little new ideas, because why bother when you can turn out the same sh*t and still sell millions!?
Well the latest entry changed the series a lot. Lots of online features as well and having an all new rooster just makes it way more appealing for the sake of variety. Plus if you have a friend who picks it up it becomes all out competition to see who's going to whip who's ass and what team is more efficient. It really evolved a lot from the first titles and judging by the sales you can see it evolved in a good way. You should try it out.
Last edited by Neo_Aeon666 on 4/15/2011 9:47:28 AM
gameplay wise its exactly the same as the originals.
adding MP does not a new game make!
i don't understand the na market. what is driving these 360 sales? kinect enabled hulu plus?
to watch sony drop exclusive after exclusive and remain in 3rd place is somewhat discouraging. i just fear for the overall health of the industry as long as the 360, and cod reign supreme in na.
Kids are driving the 360 sales.
If you owned a console known to have awful reliability and are prepared to endure the costs of replacing it more than once, or having a second system in case the first one has to be returned for repair. What would you do if a brand new model with apparently better quality came along with additional capabilities bundled at an attractive price?
All I can say is that Microsoft's final solution for the RROD issue is selling well.
ive heard nothing good about the hulu thing, all you do is look at the titles awith it and when you wanna watch something you still need a controller, its kinda pointless but they needed another gimmick to keep people buying it cause apparently they have no other reasons to have it
and i believe that RROD is still driving up sales
NA just keeps disappointing.
"and here I thought the Pokemon fad was dead."
lol, what gave you that crazy idea?
Modern Warfare 2 stayed near the top of the charts for quite a few months after release, and sadly I see Blops doing the same thing.
Also, why do people still buy 360s? What new exclusive is coming out for it except for Gears 3? I can't imagine people want to hang on to the console forever just to play a good downloadable game that pops up on Live every so often, the Kinect fad, and waiting for Gears 3.
Actually, I can imagine that. 360 fanboys are freaking idiots.